What's Not: No carry handle version for those who want a standalone MacBook Air case.

Level8 makes high quality backpacks, cases and sleeves for computers and tablets, especially the Apple branded ones, and their products are available in Apple?s retail stores as well as online. If you've seen it or read our review of the Level8 Atlas Backpack you will know the quality of the material and workmanship on Level8 cases are top notch. Level8 currently makes sleeves for both 11" and 13" MacBook Air, as well as 13" and 15" MacBook and MacBook Pro notebooks. They also offer a sleeve for the iPad. We look at the 13" MacBook Air case in this review. The difference between the MacBook Air sleeves and the MacBook/MacBook Pro sleeves is that the MacBook Air sleeves are pure sleeves while the MacBook Pro cases have carrying handles which makes sense since the MacBook Pro models are often heavier and thicker than the MacBook Air models. Oddly, the iPad sleeve also comes with a carrying handle. The Level8 13" Protective Sleeve for MacBook Air is a custom fitting neoprene case that's durable, protective and slim. The sleeve case comes in black only.

Design

The Level8 13? Protective Sleeve has a simple but functional design. The main compartment for the MacBook Air opens on top, and has two layers of protection for the notebook. The exterior of the sleeve is made with good quality neoprene and the interior has a layer of EVA foam stubbles that Level8 calls 3D precision padding. The padding is indeed very effective, surrounding your MacBook Air like protective bubbles. The size of the main compartment can easily fit the MacBook Air or fit the notebook with a hard shell case snuggly.

If you take your MacBook Air on the road, you will need to take the AC charger with you. The Level8 13? Protective Sleeve has a pocket for it. The front zippered pocket is long but not very spacious, and it will fit MacBook Air?s AC charger and perhaps a small mouse, and that?s about it. The case is super slim if you only store the MacBook Air in it, but it bulges out a little with an AC charger and mouse in the extra pocket.

Features

The Level8 13? Protective Sleeve has quality stitching and a heavy-duty large zipper for the main compartment and a smaller one for the front pocket. The zippers have tight and smooth action. The case has reinforced corners as well as reinforced bottom and sides to make sure if you bump the notebook on the bottom, the case will protect it. The reinforced piece is tightly sewn onto the case, and it looks sturdy and won?t come loose any time soon. Even though the zipper is on the outside of the interior padding layer, the Level8 13? Protective Sleeve still offers a wide zipper guard to protect the MacBook Air from zipper scratches. The front pocket doesn?t have zipper guard.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a simple yet very protective sleeve for your MacBook Air, the Level8 13? Protective Sleeve is a great choice. It has extra padding with the 3D foam yet very slim and light, weighing only 6.8 oz. The material and build speak quality, and case can fit either a naked MacBook Air or with a hard shell case. The zipper guard is a nice thought and the reinforced corners and sides make you feel safe putting the notebook in the case and travel with it. The sleeve doesn?t have carrying handles like their sleeve for the 13? MacBook or the shoulder strap for the MacBook Pro cases. So if need to carry the MacBook Air solo instead of in a backpack or suite case, take a look at their notebook cases.